2017 Best in Beauty: The Reviewers’ Choice Awards

It’s time for Influenster’s 2017 Beauty Awards! There are 45 categories that include makeup, hair care, and skin care. The winners of each category are chosen based on reviews, photos, and shares within the website. I decided to talk about some of my favorite products, because many of them are underdogs and they deserve some recognition and maybe some of you would want to try them out. 🙂

This lipstick is so amazing that I’m putting it under two categories. I received a sample of it in the shade Greystone, which is fairly dark, and as soon as I finish this lip crayon, I will absolutely be buying a full-size lipstick! It is incredibly pigmented, and good lord it takes a lot to get it off. I’ve put this lipstick through the ringer: sweating, eating, drinking, and it still stays on! Later in the evening I had to touch up the inner part of my lips (the “butthole”), but that was it! I can’t get it off with anything other than makeup remover.
Go get it at Sephora for $24!

Best Liquid EyelinerEyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

Gosh, this is a fantastic eyeliner. I got a sample of it a while back, and it’s like the damn energizer bunny. It just keeps going and going and going. It is easy to apply, is highly pigmented, and works as an everyday eyeliner. It’s a pen, so it’s easy to control, and I’ve never had a mess, like I have with other liquid liners.Ulta has it for $22, and it is well worth it. It will last you a very long time!

Best MascaraW3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Mascara

This is another product that I received as a sample, and I’ve never heard anyone talk about it. It has small bristles to help separate all of your lashes, and I like to think it’s less flash and more substance. It grabs every lash and lengthens them. I love trying new mascaras, and I’ve stuck with this one.Target has the trial size for $12.50.

I love this highlighter, because it is a subtle highlight, but it is also buildable. It’s incredibly easy to apply, and I prefer this to a powder highlighter. Easy to apply, easy to blend and build, and it looks great. What more could you want from a highlighter?!
You can get it from Sephora for $34.00.

Best BronzerTarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer

I have never been a big bronzer girl, because I am incredibly pale, but I received a sample of this, and I am a changed person. I was hesitant to try it, but I tried both ways they suggested: all over your face and just where the sun will hit the most, as a more natural look. I thought both looked good, even with my incredibly white skin. That’s probably because it is buildable, and this product doesn’t pile on loads of color on the first try. I would absolutely recommend this as a bronzer to people as pale as I am.Ulta has it for $30.00.

I have tried high-end, pricey liquid color corrector, and it always felt like it would just blend away. I decided to try this, because it was inexpensive, and if it didn’t work, I wasn’t losing much. It is amazing! It has 6 different colors to help with many different issues, and it doesn’t blend away. I use it daily under my foundation, and my biggest concern is when I hit the bottom.
This product is available at Target and Ulta for just $11.99, and I bought it from Nordstrom Rack for even less!

Best Makeup SpongeReal Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

There is so much I like about this blender. It is inexpensive, works well, and is available at many retailers. It does stain easily, but that’s okay. As long as you wash it, it is just fine. I’ve never tried the Beauty Blender sponge previously, but I have heard many people say it is quite similar. And similar is all I need when you look at the price differences. I would definitely suggest this to those who prefer sponges/blenders, and those who want to start using them.
I have gotten these sponges individually and in a two-pack from both Target and Ulta. The single sponge is $6.99 and the two sponges are $10.99.

Haircare Categories

Best ShampooHair Food Strawberry Ginger Root Clarifying Shampoo

This is the perfect shampoo. I needed to get a clarifying shampoo, because I easily get a load of buildup on my scalp, and it weighs my hair down. I decided to try this, because it does not have the chemicals that I actively avoid, and it was inexpensive. I could see a huge difference just after one wash. My hair is lighter and softer, even without using a conditioner. It smells lovely and I don’t think I could go back to my old shampoo, even for one wash.
I got this shampoo at Target for just $9.99 and I absolutely suggest it for thick-haired guys and gals who have trouble with buildup.

Best Dry ShampooDove Refresh + Care Volume & Fullness Dry Shampoo

I’ve tried quite a few dry shampoos, and this is the best I’ve had. It pulls the oils from my hair, and leaves my hair with volume, instead of flattening it. It also smells good, and I don’t feel like it is straight powder (maybe it is), because it doesn’t make my hair looks grey.
You can get this for many different prices and multiple stores, but you can get it at Target for $3.94.

Skincare Categories

Best Facial CleanserGlamGlow Supercleanse Daily Clearing Cleanser

There are many facial cleansers that I use regularly and love, but this one really stands out. It’s definitely different, because it feels like a mud mask when it goes on, then you add water and it suds up to clean your face. It leaves my face soft, smooth, and feeling clean. I haven’t tried any of the other cleansers or masks, but I would like to at some point. I know Nordstrom Rack has, at least, their masks, but the only other retail store that I know sells the cleansers is Sephora. They seem pricey, but it’s definitely worth it.
I order mine (the smaller size) online through Sephora for $14.00.

I used to use this product back in the day, and then this scent disappeared. It was only recently that it came back again (or maybe I looked and found it way later), and it is still my favorite! White solid deodorants get all over my clothes, which I hate, so this clear gel is perfect! Vanilla is one of my favorite scents in anything, and this is no exception. I smell good and it’s free of many chemicals that I try to avoid putting on my body!
You can get it on sale from Target for $4.99.

What are your favorite beauty products? Let me know in the comments!
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Published by Amanda Jane

My name is Amanda, and I am originally from Southwestern Virginia. I'm technically a millennial, but I don't know enough of the lingo. I love cats, true crime, and the color black.
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